Loosely defined, the term humanities refers to the arts-the visual arts such

as architecture, painting, and sculpture; the performing arts such as music,

dance, theatre or drama, and literature. They are the branches of leaming
concerned with human thought, feelings, and relations.

2 The term art comes from the Italian word, artis, which means
"craftsmanship, skill, mastery of form, inventiveness, and the association
that exist between form and ideas and between material and techniques;
from the Aryan root ar which means "to join" or "put together"; from the
Greek words "artizein," which means to "prepare", ane arkiskein, meaning to
"put together."

CONTENTS

3 Art is very important in our lives as it is concerned with the communication

of certain ideas and feelings by means of a sensuous medium-color, sound,
bronze, marble, words, and film.

The subject of art is varied. Some arts are representational; others are
nonrepresentational, non-objective, or abstract.

5 All arts have functions for people since they satisfy particular needs of
people.

CONTENTS

6 Visual arts or space arts are those that we perceive with our eye and
which occupy space.

7 Auditory or time arts are those that can be heard and are expressed in
time.

8 Combined arts are those that can be both seen and heard and exist in both
space and time. The Nature of Art
Art is a vital and ancient form of human expression that has existed since the
dawn of society, found in cultures worldwide, including primitive societies. It
is cherished and created by people throughout history. A true work of art is
characterized by creativity rather than imitation; artists interpret nature by
focusing on essential features while disregarding the less important ones.

Art has been defined in various ways. Hereunder are some of the definitions
given by various authors:

1. Art is derived from the Latin word ars, meaning "ability or skill." - J.V.
Estolas

2. Art is taken from the Italian word artis, which means craftsmanship, skill,
mastery of form, inventiveness, and the associations that exist between form
and ideas, between material and technique. - A. Tan

3. Art is a product of man's need to express himself. - F. Zulueta

4. Art is concerned with the communication of certain ideas and feelings by

means of sensuous medium, color, sound, bronze, marble, words, and film. -
C. Sanchez

5. Art is that which brings life in harmony with the beauty of the world. -
Plato

6. Art is an attitude of spirit, a state of mind-one which demands for its own
satisfaction and fulfilling, a shaping of matter to new and more significant
form - John Dewev

7. Art is the skillful arrangement or composition of some common but

significant qualities of nature such as colors, sounds, lines, movements,
words, stones, wood, etc., to express human feelings, emotions, or thoughts
in a perfect meaningful and enjoyable way. -Panizo and Rustia

Four common Essentials of art

⚫ art must be man-made;

• art must be creative, not imitative;

⚫ art must benefit and satisfy man and man must make use of art in
practical terms; and

⚫ art is expressed through a certain medium or material by which the artist

communicates himself to his fellows

Art has a particular importance in our lives. All the art that we see and hear
have a purpose; they occupy some place in our judgment

We use art forms like paintings, songs, dances, and plays to emphasize
important events, preserve memories, and bring joy. Monuments are also
built to honor the heroic deeds of great individuals.

Artworks inspire us in many ways. Books bring us joy, music moves us, and
paintings, sculptures, and plays make us think deeply. Modern architecture
also motivates us to design and build our homes more beautifully.

Through art, we can understand the thoughts, feelings, and beliefs of the
people from the time it was created, as well as the influences around them.
Encountering art helps us appreciate beauty and can change our behavior,
making us more cultured, dignified, and respectful. Art has the power to
enhance our humanity.

This is why art is part of the humanities. It brings out the good and noble
qualities in us. Through art, we learn about the changing nature of humanity
as people move through time, search for truth, and strive to achieve the
ideals that give life meaning.

Art appreciation is the ability to understand and enjoy art, whether by

creating it yourself using art tools and materials, or by simply admiring and
owning art for personal pleasure and satisfaction.

THE SUBJECT OF ART

✓ In any art form-painting, music, sculpture, architecture, or dance there is
always a subject that serves as the foundation of the creation of the work of
art.

✓ A subject of art is usually anything that is represented in the artwork.

✓ The subject of art is varied.

It may be a person, object, scene, or event.

PERSON

"Mona Lisa" by Leonardo da Vinci

OBJECT

"The Starry Night" by Vincent van Gogh

SCENE

"Water Lilies" by Claude Monet

EVENT

"Guernica" by Pablo Picasso

THE SUBJECT OF ART

✓ Artworks that depict something easily recognized by most people are
called "representational" or "objective arts".

THE SUBJECT OF ART

✓ Artworks that have no resemblance to any real subject are called "non-
representational" or "non-objective arts".

They do not represent anything and they are what they are.

They rather appeal directly to the senses primarily because of the satisfying
organization of their elements.

"Composition VIII" by Wassily Kandinsky

"4'33" by John Cage

"Merce Cunningham Dance Company" by

Merce Cunningham

THE FUNCTION OF ART

✓ Architecture is directly and almost entirely functional because buildings

and other structures are always built for some special purposes.
✓ Music and dance were used in ancient rituals and worship of the gods, for
social and folk entertainment, as well in the military.

THE FUNCTION OF ART

✓ Paintings and sculpture may be used to narrate events, to portray people

or events, to commemorate individuals or historical events, and to serve as
vehicle for personal expression.

✓ Metal works such as gates, grilis, lamps, armor, weapons, and tools,
ceramics, glassware, stained glass, mosaic, tilework, textile, and furniture
are among the many types of arts or crafts,

4 MAIN FUNCTIONS OF ART

1. Aesthetic function

• Through art, man becomes conscious of the beauty of nature. He benefits

from his own work and from those done by his fellowmen. He learns to use,
love, and preserve them for his enjoyment and appreciation.

4 MAIN FUNCTIONS OF ART

2. Utilitarian function

Comfort and happiness

• Through art, man is provided with shelter, clothing, food, light, medicine,
beautiful surroundings, personal omamentals, entertainment, language,
transportation, and other necessities and conveniences of life.
• Improves nature through landscape gardening. creation of super-highways,
and through propagation and conservation of natural resources.

4 MAIN FUNCTIONS OF ART

3. Cultural function

• Through the printed matter, art transmits and preserves skills and
knowledge from one generation to another. It makes man aware of his/her
cultural background, making him/her more knowledgeable and his/her life
more enduring and satisfying.

4 MAIN FUNCTIONS OF ART

4. Social function

• Through civic and graphic arts, man learns to love and help each other.
International understanding and cooperation are fostered and nations
become more unified, friendly, cooperative, helpful, and sympathetic.

4 authors classify arts in different ways.

1. Manaois' Two Dimensions

2. Custodiosa Sanchez's Classification (2002)

3. Josefina Estolas's Grouping (1995)

4. Panizo and Rustia's Classification (1995)

1. Manaois:

Fine Arts (Independent Arts): Created for aesthetic enjoyment, appealing to

the senses especially visual and auditory.

Examples: music, painting, sculpture, architecture, literature, dance,

drama.

Practical Arts (Useful/Utilitarian Arts): Created for practical use, often

involving the development of raw materials.

Examples: industrial art, household art, civic art, commercial art, graphic art,
agricultural art, business art, distributive art, fishery art.

2. Custodiosa Sanchez (2002):

Visual Arts: arts are those that we perceive with our eyes.

-Graphic Arts: Two-dimensional art forms, lik painting, drawing, photography,

printing, commercial design, and mechanical processes.

- Plastic Arts: Three-dimensional art forms, encompassing structural

architecture, landscape architecture, city planning, interior design, sculpture,
crafts, and more.

3. Josefina Estolas (1995):

• Major Arts:

Painting

Architecture

Sculpture

Literature

Music

Dance

3. Josefina Estolas (1995):

• Minor Arts:

Decorative Arts

Popular Arts

Graphic Arts

Plastic Arts

Industrial Arts
3. Josefina Estolas (1995):

•Additional Categories:

Visual Arts:

Graphic arts

plastic arts

Performing Arts:

Theatre

play

dance

music

Literary Arts

Short story

Novel
Poetry

drama

Popular Arts:

Film

Gustatory Art Of The Cuisine:

Decorative Arts/Applied Arts:

newspaper

magazine

radio

television

Food preparation

beverage

preparation

Beautification of houses
• Offices

Cars

etc.

4. Panizo and Rustia (1995):

According to Purpose

. Panizo and Rustia (1995):

According to Purpose:

Practical/Useful Arts:

Create artifacts and utensils for human needs

(handicrafts, embroidery, ceramics, etc.)

Liberal Arts:

Focus on intellectual growth

(philosophy, psychology, literature, mathematics, sciences)

Fine Arts:

Creative activity for contemplation and spiritual upliftment

(painting, sculpture, architecture)

Major Arts:

Characterized by expressiveness

(music, poetry, sculpture)

Minor Arts:

Practical uses and purposes

(interior decoration, porcelain art)

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4. Panizo and Rustia (1995):

According to Media and Forms:

Plastic Arts:

Works in physical space, perceived visually

Kinetic Arts:

Involve rhythm and movement

Phonetic Arts:

Use sounds and words for expression

Pure Arts:

Use one medium

Mixed Arts:

Combine multiple mediums

(sculpture, decorative materials)

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(dance)

(music, drama, literature)

(sound in music, color in painting)

(opera)

The Origin of Art

► Art is a reflection of creativity, ingenuity, and inventiveness within a

culture.

► Its value lies not only in style and craftsmanship but also in its functional
interaction with human life and culture.

► Art is deeply connected to beliefs, rituals, and storytelling.

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The Origin of Art

► The history of art began with that of humanity.

► Art dates back to when superstitions and beliefs in spirits were common.

► Indigenous art forms (dancing, painting, music, poetry) accompanied

ancient rituals and ceremonies.

► These artistic practices served to entertain, worship gods and goddesses,

or invoke success and blessings.
► Their music and poetry chronicles the life and works of their ancestors as
well as legendary origins of heroes, heroines, and gods.

The Origin of Art

► Tribal cultures utilized body painting during ceremonies.

► Cave paintings and drawings reflected ancient religious beliefs and

visions.

➤ Artworks made from durable materials (metal, stone, clay, glass) survived
longer than those made from perishable materials (wood).

The Origin of Art

► Temples in the East and West bear evidence of art pertaining to gods,
goddesses, religious animals, demons, priests, kings, and queens.